Versatile display rack

ABSTRACT

A display rack having a pair of side posts joined by a top support bar and supported by a base member. Each side post having a channel formed therethrough and divided into an upper channel and lower channel by a bridge. One or more height adjustable side support clamp being attached to each side post through the corresponding channel, and each support clamp being formed and positioned so that a pair of opposed support clamps on the side posts can hold one or more support bars therebetween. The display rack further comprising one or more height adjustable display bars placed between the side posts. The display bar having a plurality of slots for receiving a supporting arm of a display structure such as hanging bars and shelves.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to display structures. More particularly, the present invention relates to a versatile display rack for hanging miscellaneous items thereon.

2. Description of Prior Art

There are many styles of display racks and devices for hanging miscellaneous items such as clothing, hats, accessories, and bags. One type of conventional display rack has two or more dual columned side posts connected by a plurality of horizontal bars. One such type of rack is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 6,029,833 issued to Yeh. This type of display rack has a base member connected below each of the side posts for providing balance and support. Also, there are slots, notches, and bars in predetermined levels placed throughout the height of the object so that the user can fit display arms on the desired level. A disadvantage of this rack is that all of the parts are pre-formed for mounting various display arms in fixed heights and at fixed positions. Other types of display racks utilize telescopic side posts and bars with clips for adjusting the height of the display rack or display arms. None of the prior art teaches the display rack as taught by the present invention.

It is a primary objective of the present invention to provide a versatile display rack which has easily height adjustable displaying members for displaying items. It is another objective of the present invention to provide a display rack on which multiple display items can be hung from the front, back, and sides of the display rack at multiple heights and positions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is contrived to overcome the conventional disadvantages. As shown in FIGS. 1 through 5, the display rack comprises a pair of side posts joined by a top support bar and supported by a base member. Each side post has a channel formed therethrough and is divided into an upper channel and lower channel by a bridge. At least one slot is formed on the upper end of each side post. Additionally, one or more side support clamps can be attached to each side post through the corresponding channel, and each side support clamp is formed to be adjustable in its position along the corresponding channel. Each support clamp is also formed and positioned so that a pair of opposed support clamps on the side posts can hold one or more support bars therebetween. The display rack can further comprise one or more display bars placed between the side posts. Depending on the embodiment, the display bars can be attached alone on the side posts or in conjunction with the side support clamps. The display bar's placement along the height of the side posts can be varied, and furthermore, the display bar is formed to be removable. The display bar has a plurality of slots for receiving a supporting arm of a display structure such as hanging bars and shelves.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the display rack according to the present invention shown without any display bar or support clamp;

FIG. 2 is a view of a section of an embodiment of the display rack having a pair of support clamps having a pair of support bars;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 2 cut along the 4—4 line;

FIG. 4 is a view of a section of the present invention showing a support clamp having a display arm received thereto;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a section of an embodiment of the present embodiment having a display bar.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the accompanying drawings, a display rack 10 for hanging miscellaneous items thereon according to the present invention will now be described. The display rack 10 comprises a first side post 15 and a second side post 20. Each side post 15, 20 has an elongated channel formed therethrough, and each side post 15, 20 has an upper end and a lower end. As shown in FIG. 1, the display rack has a top frame bar 22 connecting the side posts near the upper ends of each side post 15, 20, and a base member 25 placed near the lower ends of the side posts 15, 20 provides support to the display rack 10. The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 shows a base member 25 having a bottom frame bar 28 connecting the side posts 15, 20 near the lower ends and a pair of elongated support members 30 extending from below the side posts 15, 20.

The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 also has a bridge 31 formed on each side post 15, 20 which divides each elongated channel into an upper channel and a lower channel. Additionally, there is at least one slot 34 formed on the upper end of each side post 15, 20.

FIGS. 2 to 4 show a display rack 10 having a side support clamp 35 mounted on each side post 15, 20 through the corresponding channel. Each support clamp 35 has an inner plate 37 and an outer plate 38 which is joined to clamp onto a corresponding side post 15, 20. In the embodiment as shown in FIG. 3, the inner plate 37 has a threaded bore which receives a threaded member protruding from the outer plate 38 for tight engagement of the inner and outer plates 37, 38. Each inner plate 37 has a plurality of slots 40 formed thereon, and the slots 40 and support clamps 35 are formed and positioned for holding one or more support bars 43 between the support clamps 35 with each end of the support bar 43 being received into a corresponding slot 40 of a corresponding inner plate 37 as shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 2 further shows the display rack having a pair of support bars 43 placed between the support clamps 35, and each support bar 43 has a plurality of slots 46 which are formed for receiving the supporting arms 49 of a display device as shown in FIG. 2. The outer plate 38 of each support clamp 35 can have an outward protrusion 50 having a hole 52 therethough for removeably receiving a display arm 53 therein as shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of the structure of the outward protrusion 50 for holding a display arm 53 thereon. As shown in FIG. 3, the outward protrusion has an outer end having a threaded bore leading into the hole 52 formed through the protrusion 50. An end piece 57 having a threaded protrusion twistably engages with the outward protrusion 50 such that the threaded protrusion of the end piece 57 can enter into the hole 52 through the threaded bore as the end piece 57 is tightened onto the outward protrusion 50.

The versatile display rack can further comprise a display bar 60 placed between the side posts 15, 20 as shown in FIG. 5. As shown, the display bar 60 has an end extending through the corresponding channel of each side post 15, 20. The display bar 60 has a pair of connection members 65 for removeable connection to each side post 15, 20 so that the height of the placement of the display bar 60 can be varied along the side posts 15, 20. As shown in FIG. 5, each connection member 65 has an outer plate 68 and an inner plate 70 which can be moved together to clamp onto a side post placed therebetween. The display bar 60 further has a plurality of slots 70 for receiving a supporting arm 80 of a display structure 85 therein.

In use, the display rack is extremely versatile. The one or more slots formed at the upper end of each side post can hold a mirror therebetween or a display bar for further attachment of display arms thereon. In addition a plurality of side support clamps 35 can be mounted on each side post 15, 20 as desired through the corresponding channel. Each side support clamp 35 can be varied in height throughout each side post according to the desired height requirements of the user. One or more support bars 43 can be placed between each pair of opposed support clamps 35 as desired. Each support bar 43 has a plurality of slots 46 which are formed for receiving the supporting arms 49 of a display device which can range from hanging bars to shelves. The supporting arms 49 can hang from the support bars 43 frontward, backward, or sideward relative to the display rack. The display rack can further comprise one or more display bars 60 placed between the side posts 15, 20 as shown in FIG. 5. The display bars 60 can be used by themselves on the side posts or in conjunction with the side support clamps 35 according to the preference of the user. The display bar 60 is versatile in that its height can be varied along the side posts 15, 20 and furthermore, the display bar 60 can be removed if necessary. The display bar 60 further has a plurality of slots 70 for receiving a supporting arm 80 of a display structure 85 ranging from hanging bars to shelves.

Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described and illustrated for purposes of clarity and example, it should be understood that many changes, substitutions and modifications to the described embodiment will be apparent to those having skill in the art in light of the foregoing disclosure without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention which is defined by the claims which follow. 

1. A versatile display rack comprising: a first side post and a second side post, each side post having an elongated channel formed therethrough, each side post having an upper end and a lower end; a top frame bar connecting said side posts near said upper ends of each side post; a bottom frame bar connecting said side posts near said lower ends of each side post; and, a base member disposed below the side posts.
 2. The versatile display rack as described in claim 1, wherein each side post has a bridge formed thereon dividing each elongated channel into an upper channel and a lower channel.
 3. The versatile display rack as described in claim 1 further comprising at least one slot formed on the upper end of each side post.
 4. The versatile display rack as described in claim 1 further comprising a display bar disposed between said side posts, said display bar having an end extending through said corresponding channel of each side post.
 5. The versatile display rack as described in claim 4 wherein said display bar has a plurality of slots for receiving a supporting arm therein.
 6. The versatile display rack as described in claim 1 further comprising a removeable side support clamp mounted on each side post through said channel, each support clamp having an inner plate and an outer plate, each inner plate having a plurality of slots formed thereon, said slots and support clamps being formed and positioned for holding one or more support bars between said support clamps with each end of said support bar being received into a corresponding slot of a corresponding inner plate.
 7. The versatile display rack as described in claim 6 further comprising one or more support bars disposed between said support clamps.
 8. The versatile display rack as described in claim 7, wherein each support bar has a plurality of slots for receiving a supporting arm therein.
 9. The versatile display rack as described in claim 6 wherein said outer plate of each support clamp has an outward protrusion having a hole therethough for removeably receiving a display arm therein.
 10. The versatile display rack as described in claim 1 wherein the base member comprises a pair of elongated support members.
 11. A versatile display rack comprising: a first side post and a second side post, each side post having an elongated channel formed therethrough, each side post having an upper end and a lower end; a top frame bar connecting said side posts near said upper ends of each side post; a base member disposed near the lower ends of said side posts; and, a removeable side support clamp mounted on each side post through said channel, each support clamp having an inner plate and an outer plate, each inner plate having a plurality of slots formed thereon, said slots and support clamps being formed and positioned for holding one or more support bars between said support clamps with each end of said support bar being received into a corresponding slot of a corresponding inner plate.
 12. The versatile display rack as described in claim 11 further comprising one or more support bars disposed between said support clamps.
 13. The versatile display rack as described in claim 12, wherein each support bar has a plurality of slots for receiving a supporting arm therein.
 14. The versatile display rack as described in claim 11 wherein said outer plate of each support clamp has an outward protrusion having a hole therethough for removeably receiving a display arm therein.
 15. The versatile display rack as described in claim 11, wherein each side post has a bridge formed thereon dividing each elongated channel into an upper channel and a lower channel.
 16. The versatile display rack as described in claim 11 further comprising at least one slot formed on the upper end of each side post.
 17. The versatile display rack as described in claim 11 further comprising a display bar disposed between said side posts, said display bar having an end extending through said corresponding channel of each side post.
 18. The versatile display rack as described in claim 17 wherein said display bar has a plurality of slots for receiving a supporting arm therein.
 19. The versatile display rack as described in claim 11 wherein said base member comprises a bottom frame bar joining the lower ends of each side post and a pair of elongated support members.
 20. A versatile display rack comprising: a first side post and a second side post, each side post having an elongated channel formed therethrough, each side post having an upper end and a lower end; a top frame bar connecting said side posts near said upper ends of each side post; a base member disposed near the lower ends of said side posts, said base member comprising a bottom frame bar joining the lower ends of each side post and a pair of elongated support members; and, a display bar disposed between said side posts, said display bar having an end extending through said corresponding channel of each side post.
 21. The versatile display rack as described in claim 20 wherein said display bar has a plurality of slots for receiving a supporting arm therein.
 22. The versatile display rack as described in claim 20 further comprising a removeable side support clamp mounted on each side post through said channel, each support clamp having an inner plate and an outer plate, each inner plate having a plurality of slots formed thereon, said slots and support clamps being formed and positioned for holding one or more support bars between said support clamps with each end of said support bar being received into a corresponding slot of a corresponding inner plate.
 23. The versatile display rack as described in claim 22 further comprising one or more support bars disposed between said support clamps. 